Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the press notice entitled New steering group to champion disabled people in elected office, published on 9 June 2025, how the members of the working group from political parties were selected; and whether political parties were consulted in the selection process.

It is this government’s ambition to see more disabled people in public office. We have been clear that we will champion disabled people’s rights and work closely with them so that disabled people’s views and voices are at the heart of decision-making.

On 9 June we announced a new Access to Elected Office Steering Group to support the development of a new fund to help with the disability-related expenses of gaining elected office. Drawing on their lived experience and expertise of disability, accessing funding or standing for elected office, members will work with the Minister for Social Security and Disability to ensure the fund is effective in increasing disability representation in future elections.

Members for the steering group were chosen based on their experience as disabled candidates, their expertise and advocacy work in disability inclusion, and their lived experience with disability. Political parties were not consulted during this process. Affiliation to political parties was not a criterion for selection of individuals, though efforts were made to ensure cross-party representation.

This approach was adopted to maintain focus on the core objective of the steering group - improving access to elected office for disabled people.